Portable exercise apparatus

ABSTRACT

A portable exercise apparatus is provided. The portable exercise apparatus may include a base frame adapted to telescopically receive an extension frame. The extension frame may include four vertical extensions pivotably connected to four extension bars so as to form a generally simple cubic lattice shape. The four vertical extensions may include a plurality of spaced apart pin openings. The base frame may include four tubular vertical members. Each vertical member may include an upper end defining a opening for telescopically receiving the vertical extension. Near the upper end on each vertical member may include a locator pin sized for connecting with the pin openings. A user may telescopically mount the vertical extensions into the upper ends of the base frame by connecting four locator pins in predetermined pin openings along the length of the vertical extensions. The user may then perform body-weight exercises on at least one extensions bar at a predetermined height.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to exercise apparatus and, more particularly, to a portable exercise apparatus and methods of its use for performing exercises.

Currently, a significant portion of the elderly and handicapped populations are out of shape, and so need to perform a battery of body weight exercises since body weight training has been proven to be a very beneficial for of getting in shape. Yet there is no device that facilitates body weight training that is adjustable for different body types and exercise performances and that is also portable.

As can be seen, there is a need for an exercise apparatus that is portable and adjustable for different individuals performing a wide array of body-weight exercises.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a portable exercise apparatus comprises: a base frame comprising: four vertical members, wherein each vertical member terminates in an upper end and an opposing lower end, wherein each upper end defines an extension opening; and four horizontal members, wherein each horizontal member is pivotably connected to a respective lower end, wherein each vertical member has an adjustable locator pin near each upper; and an extension frame comprising: four vertical extensions, wherein each vertical extension terminates in a top end and an opposing bottom end; and four extension bars, wherein each extension bar is pivotably connected to a respective top end, wherein each vertical extension forms a plurality of spaced apart pin openings along the length thereof for receiving the locator pin.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of exercising on a portable exercise apparatus comprises: a portable exercise apparatus comprising: a base frame comprising: four tubular vertical members terminating in an upper end and an opposite lower end, wherein the upper ends each define an extension opening; and four horizontal members pivotably connected to the four respective vertical members so that the base frame folds from an operable position to a collapsed position, wherein the four vertical members have an adjustable locator pin near each upper end opposite the horizontal members; and an extension frame comprising: four vertical extensions, wherein the vertical extensions are sized to be telescopically received by the extension openings; and four extension bars, wherein the four extension bars are pivotably connected to the four vertical bars so that the extension frame folds from an operable position to a collapsible position, wherein the four vertical extensions form a plurality of spaced apart pin openings along the length thereof for rigidly receiving the locator pins; performing body-weight exercises on at least on extension bars; disconnecting the four locator pins from the four pin openings; dismounting the extension frame from the base frame; folding the base frame from the operable position to the collapsed position; folding the extension frame from the operable position to the collapsed position; and transporting the extension frame and the base frame.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in use;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing an extension frame telescopically extending from a base frame;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in use;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in use;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in use;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in use;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in use;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in use;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in use;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in use;

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in use;

FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in use; and

FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an exercise apparatus. The exercise apparatus may include a base frame adapted to telescopically receive an extension frame. The extension frame may include four vertical extensions pivotably connected to four extension bars so as to form a generally simple cubic lattice shape. The four vertical extensions may include a plurality of spaced apart pin openings. The base frame may include four tubular vertical members. Each vertical member may include an upper end defining a opening for telescopically receiving the vertical extension. Near the upper end on each vertical member may include a locator pin sized for connecting with the pin openings. A user may telescopically mount the vertical extensions into the upper ends of the base frame by connecting four locator pins in predetermined pin openings along the length of the vertical extensions. The user may then perform body-weight exercises on at least one extensions bar at a predetermined height.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 14, the present invention may include an exercise apparatus 100. The exercise apparatus 100 may include a base frame 14 adapted to telescopically receive an extension frame 12.

The base frame 14 may include four vertical members 40 made of lightweight tubular material that can be repeatedly bent without fracturing, such as aluminum, polyethylene, polypropylene, various impregnated or laminated fibrous materials, various plasticized materials and the like. Each vertical member 40 may terminate at an upper end 26 and an opposite lower end 28. The base frame 14 may fold from an operable position into a collapsed position, and vice versa. The four lower ends 28 may be pivotably connected to four horizontal members 38 so that the four horizontal members 38 form a generally planar rectangular opening. Two horizontal braces 36 may each connect two vertical members 40 near the two respective upper ends 26, as illustrated in FIG. 1, forming two vertical member pairs. The two horizontal braces 36 may define a plurality of apertures 22. Each vertical member 40 may form a pin aperture near the upper end 26 opposite the horizontal braces 36. The pin aperture may be sized to receive an adjustable locator pin 16 in each. Each of the four respective upper ends 26 may define an opening for telescopically receiving portions of the extension frame 12.

The extension frame 12 may include four vertical extensions 42 pivotably connected to four extensions bars 18 so as to form a generally simple cubic lattice frame as illustrated in FIG. 1. The extension frame 12 may fold from an operable position into a collapsed position, and vice versa. The extension frame 12 may be made of lightweight material that can be repeatedly bent without fracturing, such as aluminum, polyethylene, polypropylene, various impregnated or laminated fibrous materials, various plasticized materials and the like. Each vertical extension 42 may terminate in a top end 44 and an opposing bottom end 46. The four extensions bars 18 connect at or near the four respective top ends 44. The four bottom ends 46 may be sized to be telescopically received by the openings defined by the four respective upper ends 26.

Each vertical extension 42 may have a plurality of spaced apart pin openings 50 along the length thereof to receive the locator pin 16, thereby providing a plurality of adjustable heights at which the extension frame 12 may be telescopically mounted onto the base frame 14. Such adjustability provides for use by individuals of different sizes to use the four extensions bars 18 at different heights in different ways and in conjunction with the use of additional equipment. For example, the extension bars 18 may be adjusted to allow an individual to perform pull-ups and or chin-ups. The extension bars 18 may then be readjusted by telescopically lowering the extension frame further into the base frame 14 so that the same individual may use the extension bars 18 for dips. Similarly, the extension frame 12 may be height-adjusted to allow a handicapped individual to access the extensions bars 18 and or use additional equipment with the exercise apparatus 100.

In certain embodiments, the exercise apparatus 100 may include at least one elastic band 20 and at least one elastic tube 24 for providing resistance and support when a user performs a plurality of body weight exercise, including but not limited to push-ups, pull-ups, chin-ups, dips, squats, lifts and the like, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4 through 14. Coupled with the adjustable extension frame 12, the exercise apparatus 100 may cater to users with average, below average, and or above average fitness.

The pivot connections along the extension frame 12 and along the base frame 14 may be adapted to fold the exercise apparatus 100 into the respective collapsible positions so as to be portable.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. The exercise apparatus 100 disclosed above may be provided. A user may telescopically mount the extension frame 12 in the operable position into the upper ends 26 of the base frame 14 in the operable position by connecting four locator pins 16 in predetermined pin openings 50 along the length of the vertical extensions 42. The user may then attach one elastic tube 24 along their waste so as to provide resistance while performing dips on two extensions bars 18, as illustrated in FIG. 9.

In certain embodiments, the user may place the exercise apparatus 100 so that two vertical members 40 and two vertical extensions 42 rest along a supporting surface, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The user may then connect one elastic band 20 between at least two apertures 22 so as to provide a belt that offers support while performing a push-up.

In certain embodiments, the user may disengage the four locator pins 16 from the predetermined pin openings 50 to remove the extension frame 12. The user may then fold the four vertical members 42 onto the pivotably connected four extensions bars 18 respectively so that the extended frame 12 is in the collapsed position with a generally planar rectangular shape. Then the user may fold the two vertical member pairs onto the pivotably connected four horizontal members 38 so that the base frame 14 is in the collapsed position with a generally planar rectangular shape. The collapsed base frame 14 and the collapsed extended frame 12 may be tied together by the at least one elastic band 20 and carried to a storage site, a transporting vehicle and or a new venue.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable exercise apparatus comprising: a base frame comprising: four vertical members, wherein each vertical member terminates in an upper end and an opposing lower end, wherein each upper end defines an extension opening; and four horizontal members, wherein each vertical member has an adjustable locator pin near each upper; and an extension frame comprising: four vertical extensions, wherein each vertical extension terminates in a top end and an opposing bottom end; and four extension bars, wherein each vertical extension forms a plurality of spaced apart pin openings along the length thereof for receiving the locator pin.
 2. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the four vertical members are tubular, and wherein each bottom end is sized to be telescopically received by the extension openings.
 3. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 3, further including two horizontal braces, wherein each horizontal brace connects a pair of vertical members near their respective upper ends, and wherein each horizontal brace forms a plurality of apertures.
 4. A method of exercising on a portable exercise apparatus comprising: providing a portable exercise apparatus comprising: a base frame comprising: four tubular vertical members terminating in an upper end and an opposite lower end, wherein the upper ends each define an extension opening; and four horizontal members pivotably connected to the four respective vertical members so that the base frame folds from an operable position to a collapsed position, wherein the four vertical members have an adjustable locator pin near each upper end opposite the horizontal members; and an extension frame comprising: four vertical extensions, wherein the vertical extensions are sized to be telescopically received by the extension openings; and four extension bars, wherein the four extension bars are pivotably connected to the four vertical bars so that the extension frame folds from an operable position to a collapsible position, wherein the four vertical extensions form a plurality of spaced apart pin openings along the length thereof for rigidly receiving the locator pins; performing body-weight exercises on at least on extension bars; disconnecting the four locator pins from the four pin openings; dismounting the extension frame from the base frame; and transporting the extension frame and the base frame.
 5. The method of claim 5, further including providing at least one elastic band for performing body-weight exercises.
 6. The method of claim 5, further including providing at least one elastic tube for performing body-weight exercises.
 7. The method of claim 6, further including tying the extension frame and the base frame are tied together with the elastic band. 